Flatbed trailering a W113

[mdsalemi]

I might be flatbed trailering my car in September.  My friend has a purpose built car trailer, all aluminum, all adjustable.  Question is, to what on the undercarriage does one attach straps or such to on the W113?

Any advice appreciated from someone whose done it...

[douglas dees]

I might be flatbed trailering my car in September.  My friend has a purpose built car trailer, all aluminum, all adjustable.  Question is, to what on the undercarriage does one attach straps or such to on the W113?

Any advice appreciated from someone whose done it...

Michael: The trailers that carry cars that I have seen and transported have flip up chocks to prevent the car from moving backward or forward. Also the adjustable straps are attached to the frames with eye hooks with at least 4 to prevent the car from moving. They should not be attached to the suspension of the trailer but to the rigid frame.

Proper sized tires with freshly greased bearings are  a must to prevent an overheated tire. I would avoid the small trailer tires due to the propensity to overheat. Make sure the trailer is strong enough to carry the weight and that the hitch and safety chains are appropriate.
A friend of mine years ago saw his trailer and boat pass him the highway when the hitch and chains failed
Doug Dees
Toronto

[66andBlue]

Michael,
I like the U-Haul system with four ratcheted tire straps. See: http://www.uhaul.com/tips/videos.aspx?videoID=CdWmtgpS4lE
Of course, it is best if the trailer has slightly sunken wheel wells - or side walls - to prevent the front tires from rotating - even with the steering locked. The chain around rear the axle as shown in the video is more of a safety measure, IMO.

[Jim Donati]

Michael:
I transported my newly purchased 280SL last year on a car trailer.  I was concerned what (if any) areas I could attach a tie down to on the undercarriage without causing any damage to the body when I tightened straps to secure the car to the trailer.  Unfortunately the trailer had a solid wood deck and I could only attach any straps or chains to the sides. 
I decided to tie each tire and wheel securely to the trailer and then I attache 2 more straps, one each to the front and rear tow rings for added measure of security.  I was able to use 1 axle strap in conjunction with the tie down strap on each wheel to create to loop around each tire and wheel that was unable to slip off and held each tire very securely. 
Unfortunately I did not get any good pictures to share.  Here is one picture that might give you an idea what i am trying to describe, althought you cannot see the axle strap that goes between the two srtap loops in front of the hub cap.
Jim

[Rolland]

I used a Uhaul flatbed trailer when was having troubles getting mine to run right and needed to haul it 70 miles to the mechanic that has worked on it in the past (he is also one of the PO's).  The straps provided for the front tires worked easily, I also used some ratchet straps from the rear axle going back to the rear of the trailer.

[joes]

This is all very good info (as always)

Besides securing the car down with straps what else does one need to consider?
Do you leave the car in neutral (auto or manual)?
Do you leave the parking brake on?

Thanks to all you guys for very enjoyable reading.
Joe.

[mdsalemi]

The comments on U-Haul don't apply here, as I'm not renting a U-Haul...this is friend's trailer, a fully adjustable (to compensate for car weight and size and thus adjust the trailer tongue weight) and purpose designed unit for car hauling and all-aluminum.  It's all open on the bottom so you have the ability to access the bottom of your loaded car so you can tend to things like straps easily.  It has brakes and 4 wheels.

I'll have to check with the owner about whether there are built in wheel chocking devices.
I see only one "towing eye" in front of the car, and nothing in the rear.
Barring any better advice, my guess is straps to the lower control arms in front, and axle L & R in rear?

Neutral/Park is a good question, ditto for parking brake.

Other things about tires, bearings, tire pressure,etc. should be a given for anyone experienced in boat hauling--as I am.  Grease the bearings, check the tires and pressures.

[Jordan]

Michael,

I had my car hauled in a covered carrier (basically a covered trailer that could fit 3 cars) when I bought it last fall.  I met the trailer and when he opened up the back I could see he had a tie down strap at each of the wheels/tires.  He had removed the rims and caps and the straps went through the wheel.  He had bucles on the floor of the trailer to which each strap was tied.  This would keep the tires straight as well as prevent it from moving back and forth.  Hope that helps.

[66andBlue]

The comments on U-Haul don't apply here, as I'm not renting a U-Haul.....

Nobody told you to rent a U-Haul. You asked for ideas how to tie down the car and that's what you got.

[Tonys113]

Michael,
I have a flat bed car trailer and have been trailer all types of cars for many years.
My trailer have 4 shackle attachment points, 2 front and 2 rear. I have (4) long ratchet straps with clevis closures on both ends. I also have (4) say 18" long loop straps that have Closed Loop Eyes on the end.
When transporting cars including my Pagoda, I take the loop straps and place one around each of the 4 corners, on the rear the strap goes between the shock and the brake backing plate around the axle shaft. Be careful of the brake line. On the front the loop strap goes through the front spring lower control arm. Be sure not to place it around the sway bar links. With the car balanced on the trailer (Every trailer is different you have to find the best place) I criss-cross the ratchet straps. Right front car strap goes to left front shackle on the trailer, right rear strap from car goes to left rear shackle on the trailer. This will literally lock the car down on the trailer. The car can't move front or back and can not move side to side. I always leave the car in neutral. I have seen many many mishaps on the road from cars not being tied down correctly and I have been strapping my cars down this way for longer that I can remember and have traveled some pretty long distances.

Good Luck

Tony

[thelews]

My trailer have 4 shackle attachment points, 2 front and 2 rear. I have (4) long ratchet straps with clevis closures on both ends. I also have (4) say 18" long loop straps that have Closed Loop Eyes on the end.
When transporting cars including my Pagoda, I take the loop straps and place one around each of the 4 corners, on the rear the strap goes between the shock and the brake backing plate around the axle shaft. Be careful of the brake line. On the front the loop strap goes through the front spring lower control arm. Be sure not to place it around the sway bar links. With the car balanced on the trailer (Every trailer is different you have to find the best place) I criss-cross the ratchet straps. Right front car strap goes to left front shackle on the trailer, right rear strap from car goes to left rear shackle on the trailer. This will literally lock the car down on the trailer. The car can't move front or back and can not move side to side. I always leave the car in neutral. I have seen many many mishaps on the road from cars not being tied down correctly and I have been strapping my cars down this way for longer that I can remember and have traveled some pretty long distances.

Good Luck

Tony

That's the method I used for trailering my 190 SL.

[douglas dees]

Michael,
I like the U-Haul system with four ratcheted tire straps. See: http://www.uhaul.com/tips/videos.aspx?videoID=CdWmtgpS4lE
Of course, it is best if the trailer has slightly sunken wheel wells - or side walls - to prevent the front tires from rotating - even with the steering locked. The chain around rear the axle as shown in the video is more of a safety measure, IMO.

Michael: I know you are not using a U haul but I would like to advise members as to the problems U Haul have in Ontario. They bring their trucks and trailers to Ontario with Arizona plates and by pass safety inspections. Years ago my nephew had a U haul overturn on the highway due to a failed axle on towing his car and his tow car overturned. The axle had snapped.
 
A few years ago there was a major investigation whereby U haul was moving unsafe vehicles into Canada to avoid inspections ( thank you free trade and deregulation)
If you see a U Haul with Arizona plates and you are not in Arizona, they are moving their unfit vehicles to other jurisdictions to avoid licensing fees and regulation.
I would be very leery about using U haul for any transport especially our beloved pagodas.

Doug Dees
Toronto
280 SL

[mdsalemi]

Tony and John--thanks, I believe that is good information I will need and employ.

Any specific recommendations on kinds of straps?  I have not looked for them yet, my friend might even have a set.  However, I do see, on occasion, all manner of straps for sale at auto parts stores, home centers, Tractor Supply, etc.  What should I look for?

Alfred, not to belabor a point but UHaul has always used custom made equipment--all of their trailers, haulers, etc. are all made specifically for them.  So, what they show might not apply for the specific trailer I will borrow.  What I was really looking for was information (thanks again Tony) about where on the W113 to use straps--information that Tony supplied quite precisely.

[Rolland]

Michael,  getting the information of how to strap down Pagoda's will be good information for the whole group.  When I trailered my W113 I used the front straps of the Uhaul and straped the rear of the car around the axel and towards the rear of the trailer.  I don't know if this is a right way or not, but felt I wanted to eliminate the actions of the springs if using tow hooks. 

Rolland

[hauser]

Michael, by any chance are you hauling it to Starfest in September?

[mdsalemi]

Rolland, Tony and John gave great information.  What I will do in advance of the tow, is arrange the trailer so we can see how to do it.

Hauser, yes I plan on taking my car to Starfest.  I'll be travelling with Adam Lumsden, our VP here for MBCA International Stars, a good friend and the guy with the really nice trailer.  So far they've used it to haul a 1923 Willys-Knight, and a 1915 Ford Model T Speedster.  You'll read about Adam in the upcoming issue of The Star.

I will do my best to photograph it all prior to departure, maybe the information can be added to the wiki.  I've seen so many different kinds of trailers, but the where to connect on the car will be useful information.

The good news is that his trailer is "all open" so you can actually do things like get underneath it to take said photos!  Many trailers have a solid or wooden deck.  It's also very lightweight meaning I can haul it all with my Flex.

[Tonys113]

Michael,
Here is link to the Tie Down Straps I use.
If I get a chance soon to put my car on the trailer I will take some photos and post them.

Tony


http://www.ratchetstraps.com/manufacturer-of-ratchet-tie-down-straps-and-tow-straps:19509/show/cat:19544/sub:19630/
http://www.ratchetstraps.com/manufacturer-of-ratchet-tie-down-straps-and-tow-straps:19509/show/cat:19554/